117 dead dogs found at ‘no-kill’ animal rescue – many with gunshot wounds
On Friday, the sheriff’s office announced that the intact remains of 117 dogs were found in two excavated areas of the property located in Fortuna, California, about 288 miles (463 km) north of San Francisco.
During the search of the 50-acre (20,000 m) facility, researchers also found 21 dog skulls and hundreds of other bones. Authorities said six loose microchips were found at another dig site near where the remains were found.
Seventy bodies were x-rayed and found with bullet fragments. Investigators said initial investigations revealed that the cause of death for most of these animals was gunshot wounds.
While digging in the northern area of the same field, investigators found other dead dogs in advanced stages of decomposition, the sheriff’s office said.
The department also said it found a barn where they believed “the dogs were likely killed.”
Many of the deceased dogs were microchipped, and analysts are examining data from them to identify dogs associated with these chips.
Miranda, who is not facing charges in the case, said in a statement ahead of the new findings about the property that his facility was a “no-kill rescue” and denied the accusations made in the media and by authorities.
She said other shelters use rescues like hers as a last resort for harder-to-place animals. He claimed that Miranda’s Rescue was a “no-kill rescue.”
He said rescues only euthanize animals in rare cases, “not just to make room,” but only in cases where an animal is suffering from a fatal condition or poses a serious, ongoing danger to humans or other animals.
The sheriff’s office stated that the investigation is complex and there is a lot of evidence that needs to be processed, and asked for the public’s patience as they continue the investigation. No charges were filed during the two-month investigation.
“If there is sufficient evidence to support animal cruelty, fraud or other violations of applicable laws, the case will be presented to the prosecution team for review and consideration of criminal charges,” the department said in a statement. he said.
